Kluitenberg ready for 'intense' Merseyside derby

Jan Kluitenberg says that the Merseyside derby is even bigger than a clash between Portugal’s top two sides.

Everton’s fitness coach has experienced Benfica v Porto, which he says can’t compare to the intensity of this derby.

He said: “You can read a lot, you can watch it on television - but when you’re really involved in Everton, you know this is the most important game of the season. Of course, the coaching staff and I try to prepare the players for what is a big challenge.

“I know the players will do everything they possibly can to get a good result.

It’s intense. We experienced the Benfica-Porto derby twice, but I have to say this is more intense than we’ve had before.

“The Portuguese derby, we won two times in 14 years so that was a great result. Southern European people are excited about their derby but sometimes it looks like it’s more intense when you’re outside of the stadium, compared to when you’re inside it. Here it is on a higher level. There are two big teams on Merseyside and we are aware of what it means.”

13:09

Blues left short at the back

Fair point from Ell. Everton have been left short at a key stage of the season. I’m surprised Koeman didn’t move for a specialist right-back to compete with Coleman in January.

12:47KEY EVENT

Funes Mori to miss remainder of the season

It never rains...

Everton have confirmed that Ramiro Funes Mori has suffered a torn meniscus and is now likely to miss the rest of the season.

They announced: “They will have a surgical opinion next week but the initial diagnosis suggests the 26-year-old is likely to be out of action for the rest of the campaign.”

Funes Mori was injured in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia earlier this week, having to leave the field on a stretcher after 37 minutes.

12:05

Franny Jeffers vs Freddy Adu

I don’t quite know what I can add to this.

It might be the strangest thing anyone has ever done. Ever.

11:44

Koeman on Lukaku and transfer ambitions

Interesting stuff from the Blues boss, who offers an update on Lukaku as well as reiterates Everton’s desire to make an impact in the transfer market.

11:26

'Meatball's' Everton love affair

If you people are wondering why I keep going on about ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann, this is why..

She’s a great fighter, and a massive Blue:

11:02KEY EVENT

Who is Harry Maguire?

Want to learn more about the Hull defender who has emerged as a target for Everton this summer?

Kristian Walsh has put together a handy guide on Harry Maguire, the old-school defender who almost always wins his headers..

A 'big no' or a 'no brainer'?

Plenty of fans reckon he’d be a decent signing, but others, understandably, want to see bigger names signed by the Blues.

Here are some of your responses on social media:

Peter Billy Bass Williams: “He’s no star, but he’s a defender, he can defend. That’s a good start. Let the strikers and midfielders be stars, let’s have defenders who do their job.”

Martin Handley: “He actually played well against us until they went down to 10 men . He’d kept Lukaku quiet till then.”

Anthony Read: “I would prefer Keane.”

Andy Williams: “For every high profile star that fails to make it in the Prem, there are an equal number of lesser known players who have the potential to do great things at a bargain price. I trust Koeman and Walsh’s judgement before any arm chair manager.”

John Little:

Not knocking it but we signed players in past that matched our budget unless we get in a couple of big names few players are gunna leave for better things , by all means get him but need to be going and getting a higher calibre of player to show the ambition of the club.....like we were promised.

Where to watch the derby?

Fly in the Loaf would be my pick, or one that’s not on the list, The 23 Club on Hope Street is another great place to try.

Anyway, here are some of our recommendations.

09:33

Brilliant question..

I know, I know. Not exactly topical for here.

But brilliant nonetheless.

09:23

O'Neill on McCarthy's injury

Here’s what Martin O’Neill had to say about James McCarthy’s injury.

I don’t think he cares what Koeman has to say..

09:01

Koeman criticises Ireland AGAIN

Ronald Koeman is NOT happy with Ireland.

And it’s not wonder.

True, nothing could be done about Seamus Coleman’s season-ending injury - but James McCarthy’s was totally avoidable.

And Koeman is far from happy, he said:

“It was a final decision against the medical staff of Ireland and also against the medical staff of Everton.

“And there are two people responsible for that. One is the player by himself. Finally, if he says, yes I’m fit, OK, but even the player needs protection from the manager and, once again, they didn’t give that protection to the player.

“I was pleased by (Roberto) Martinez that, one, Kevin Mirallas was starting (against Russia) and, second, that Romelu was not starting,” he said.

“That’s good for us, because he played for 95 minutes in the qualification game against Greece.

You like people to understand... not like Ireland.

08:35

'Is Maguire what we need to progress?'

Thanks to Ian for sending me his thoughts on Harry Maguire. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with yours.

I think Maguire would be a decent signing - if he was on the cheap. But as Ian points out, the English premium clubs tend to want would probably ensure that couldn’t happen.

07:51

Go with Maguire or should Blues aim higher?

So what do you think then, Blues?

Is Harry Maguire the sort of player that Ronald Koeman should be trying to sign? Or would you like to see Everton use Moshiri’s millions to aim for a more established star name.

Maguire has had an impressive season for the Premier League strugglers, and the 24-year-old is certainly a strapping young lad.

His name is being discussed alongside Burnley’s Michael Keane.

7:19

Two more sleeps..

Feeling those nerves yet?

The Merseyside derby is almost upon us. Just two more sleeps until the 228th clash between Red and Blue.

Who else would take a draw now?

If you’re nervous, that’s fine. We’ll stick together right here.

I’ll have all the latest team news and updates ahead of the game, plus a little bit of transfer news and plenty of interviews and opinion for you to gorge on in order to take your mind off those butterflies in your stomach.

Now come on, you can’t press snooze forever. Let’s get up and get on with it.